Apple sells 200 million tunes in Europe

While announcing its partnership with Coca-Cola on Wednesday, Apple Computer also disclosed that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 200 million songs from its European iTunes. Music Stores in just over two years.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker said its European iTunes music catalog now includes more than three million songs from major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels.

Launched in the UK, France and Germany in June 2004, the iTunes Music Store now operates in 17 European countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

"The number of songs downloaded and purchased from the iTunes Music Stores in Europe have tripled in the past year from 50 million to 200 million," said Eddy Cue, Apples vice president of iTunes. "Were thrilled that music fans in Europe have shown such enthusiasm for the artists and exclusive music content found only on iTunes and would like to thank them for making iTunes such a success."

Also on Wednesday, Apple said it has entered into a music partnership with Coca-Cola in Europe that will include major promotions in the UK and Germany and the launch of a new Coke branded music website across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.